[Ratan Prabhu]

Originally Posted by 2legit2quit

Au contraire, a weight reduction of over 11kgs is very noticeable.

Noted. Actually most of the removals would lead to removal of functionality. So I didn't think of them. Example - Removing center stand would then lead to a paddock requirement for easy chain maintenance, reducing fender size would mean more muck in rains, changing exhaust to 2in1 would mean more cost + warranty void (and some impact on performance ?)

But yes, I guess these can be done if really needed and 11 kg reduction will indeed be noticeable.

[2legit2quit]

Originally Posted by Chasing_Dreams

A weight reduction of 11 kg sounds impressive! Could you please share your review of the SS Motocorp exhaust? A few pictures would be really helpful too. Thanks in advance!

I've had a great experience with the exhausts, if I had to use an analogy from the animal kingdom, I would equate the stock bike to a gentle tusker- powerful but regal in demeanor and the bike with the SS motocorp exhaust would be a tusker in musth. It can be aggressive at the twist of the throttle!

I did not want an exhaust that would annoy my ears and the ears of everyone around me and the SS motocorp pipes manage to maintain an exhaust note that is pleasant on your ears. There is also a noticeable bump in power and with a full system exhaust, you open the possibilities of a performance ecosystem with quick shifters, power commanders etc. Please refer to some of my older pictures in this thread for how the exhaust looks.

Originally Posted by Ratan Prabhu

Noted. Actually most of the removals would lead to removal of functionality. So I didn't think of them. Example - Removing center stand would then lead to a paddock requirement for easy chain maintenance, reducing fender size would mean more muck in rains, changing exhaust to 2in1 would mean more cost + warranty void (and some impact on performance ?)

But yes, I guess these can be done if really needed and 11 kg reduction will indeed be noticeable.

It depends on your priorities, the OP wanted to shed weight and I think the cost of using a paddock stand to lube his chain is a rather small cost to bear for weight reduction, Same goes for fender extenders- they can always be put back during the monsoon. In terms of the exhaust, the OP is looking at a pre owned vehicle which probably would be out of warranty in which case, the 2*1 exhausts are an excellent and quite honestly the most significant way for him to reduce weight.

You are always going to lose out on some functionality if you want to reduce weight, you can't have the cake and eat it too. At some point, you're going to have to put certain things higher in the priority list

[CU23]

Originally Posted by Chasing_Dreams

I came across the SS Motocorp 2x1 exhaust, but I haven’t seen it in person, and there aren’t many reviews available online. To be honest, I’m not a fan of the design either. I’ve already reached out to Way2Speed but haven’t heard back from them yet.

A weight reduction of 11 kg sounds impressive! Could you please share your review of the SS Motocorp exhaust? A few pictures would be really helpful too. Thanks in advance!

An aftermarket exhaust will considerably reduce the weight by 4-5 Kgs easily. The 2 into 1 setup usually gives a bump in torque as well. Removing the saree will also shed around 1-1.5 Kgs. These are some basic mods without altering much of the dynamics.

[rajeevsulu]

I have removed the saree guard. I have also replaced the stock exhausts with the Powerage exhausts (both end cans and pipes). I have saved a minimum of 10 kgs. The bike feels nimbler after the can swap itself.

You will get used to the reduced weight eventually as one would get used to anything over a period of time. The weight loss is significant. 5% weight lost has to be significant.

Cheers

[adises]

I've been experiencing handlebar vibrations lately, to the extent that my hands start to go numb - especially on the throttle. Any idea what could be the cause?

[CU23]

Originally Posted by adises

I've been experiencing handlebar vibrations lately, to the extent that my hands start to go numb - especially on the throttle. Any idea what could be the cause?

By vibrations do mean wobbling? If it is Spoked wheels, you can go for "Wheel Truing". If that's not the case then check for any loose bolts on the Handlebar clamp, lastly inspect the Forks. Been riding the INT650 for 4 years now, never experiences any kind of vibrations from the handle bar.

[Mu009]

Originally Posted by adises

I've been experiencing handlebar vibrations lately, to the extent that my hands start to go numb - especially on the throttle. Any idea what could be the cause?

Could also be a bum handlebar bearing (apart from what's mentioned in the post above). The clearest symptom of that is a shake in the handle bars (horizontal plane) if you let go, even on a straight, smooth road with weight properly balanced (try at your own risk).

Either way, please get it checked at a competent place ASAP since this is abnormal behaviour.

[adises]

Originally Posted by CU23

By vibrations do mean wobbling? If it is Spoked wheels, you can go for "Wheel Truing". If that's not the case then check for any loose bolts on the Handlebar clamp, lastly inspect the Forks. Been riding the INT650 for 4 years now, never experiences any kind of vibrations from the handle bar.

I switched to alloy wheels when they came out so that rules out the wheel not being balanced, and I'm not experiencing the wobbling associated with a steering head bearings being faulty. Will check to see if my fork seals are ok.

Originally Posted by Mu009

Could also be a bum handlebar bearing (apart from what's mentioned in the post above). The clearest symptom of that is a shake in the handle bars (horizontal plane) if you let go, even on a straight, smooth road with weight properly balanced (try at your own risk). Either way, please get it checked at a competent place ASAP since this is abnormal behaviour.

I think visting my local garage might be the best option, a cursory inspection and manual tugging of the handlebar doesn't seem to reveal anything being loose.

[jsrakkar]

Can someone please recommend a good set of after-market brake pads for the Interceptor? The two most prominent options I see online are Vesrah and EBC HH Sintered, the EBC being more than 2x the cost of Vesrah. (3300 vs 1400)

I don't mind paying the extra amount provided the performance gain is also significant.

[sab3r2th]

Originally Posted by adises

I switched to alloy wheels when they came out so that rules out the wheel not being balanced, and I'm not experiencing the wobbling associated with a steering head bearings being faulty. Will check to see if my fork seals are ok.

I think visting my local garage might be the best option, a cursory inspection and manual tugging of the handlebar doesn't seem to reveal anything being loose.

That does not rule out the wheel being balanced actually. I was facing a similar wobble when riding around 120 km/h on certain roads. Suspected that it was a suspension fault but the issue actually went away by getting my wheels balanced (also alloys). The front was fine but the rear needed a 30g weight.

Originally Posted by jsrakkar

Can someone please recommend a good set of after-market brake pads for the Interceptor? The two most prominent options I see online are Vesrah and EBC HH Sintered, the EBC being more than 2x the cost of Vesrah. (3300 vs 1400)

I don't mind paying the extra amount provided the performance gain is also significant.

I remember seeing a discussion around this on this very forum a few years ago. I haven't used Vesrah myself, but they are ceramic pads and I would not expect them to ever get up to their optimum temperature to actually benefit braking outside a racetrack on a low HP bike like the 650s. EBC HHs on the other hand are sintered pads like the stock Brembo ones and do perform marginally better. The improvement will not be significant as you are hoping though. Beyond the EBC pads, everything will cost a pretty penny.

[iamgyan]

Originally Posted by adises

I've been experiencing handlebar vibrations lately, to the extent that my hands start to go numb - especially on the throttle. Any idea what could be the cause?

Vibration on a vehicle is either due to engine or road induced. In your case, looks most likely engine related. First step would be to check/get engine mounts and handlebar mounts re-torqued. That should mostly solve it.

[ostrish]

Sold my Interceptor today, after 4 years of ownership.

It was the sweetest sounding motorcycle I have ever owned, and the engine always put me in a great mood. Used to look forward to WFO so that I could ride it back in the night. My stress from the day would just disappear as soon as I would let the clutch go.

Very gentlemanly transmission and gearing. My wife really enjoyed the pillion seat. Though we never covered large distances, we enjoyed many leisurely rides bird watching. The weight and torque of the bike made it stable and confidently smooth.

So, why did I sell it? The bike does not excel at any one thing. Maybe apart from making you feel cool. It was too fuel inefficient and big for the crowded parts of the city, and for the highways it is not particularly comfortable and does not have much tank range either. These issues are hard to fix with mods.

So from a utilitarian perspective, it added little value. And I am not a breakfast ride person, find them pointless.

I also realised I am more of an 80kmph guy than a 120kmph guy. So for the time being, my Xpulse Rally will be the only occupant of the stable.

[rajeevsulu]

The fuel tank range is really a dampener. The fuel indicator starts flashing with roughly 3 litres left and it can actually vary over a very large range. At this level,you can fill roughly 9 litres and a bit, which, in the city should probably give you a range of 150 kms.

On the highway I end up visiting the pump every 265 kms for 1000 rupees of petrol.

Cheers

[rajeevsulu]

Benefits of RSA

My rear tyre was flat when I wanted to take the bike out for a ride this morning. I called RSA and fixed up with them. They ascertained that I was at home and not stranded in the middle of nowhere and sent the technician at 9 am.

This person removed the tyre, took it to the puncture shop and sent me this picture. The mouth was destroyed. Thankfully I had retained the previous tube and put it to use now.

With the Interceptor,it is always good to have RSA as one never knows when the tyre or battery would cause trouble.

Cheers

[tharian]

Originally Posted by rajeevsulu

Benefits of RSA

My rear tyre was flat when I wanted to take the bike out for a ride this morning. I called RSA and fixed up with them. They ascertained that I was at home and not stranded in the middle of nowhere and sent the technician at 9 am.

This person removed the tyre, took it to the puncture shop and sent me this picture. The mouth was destroyed. Thankfully I had retained the previous tube and put it to use now.

With the Interceptor,it is always good to have RSA as one never knows when the tyre or battery would cause trouble.

Cheers

You are also fortunate that you are located in Erode which is a smaller city where the RSA can work effectively compared to a place like Bangalore.
Hopefully they are as helpful and quick when stuck out of the city/town.